Safety in healthcare is a key issue nowadays. During a pandemic, most hospitals are getting crowded with patients. Doctors and nurses have very few breaks, and patients need to get registered as quickly as possible, because their flow would not end. How can one avoid mistakes? How can one get things done in this stressful environment? The solution is RFID patient ID wristbands.
What makes RFID wristbands essential in healthcare institutions?
RFID wristbands are unique patient identifiers. When registering a patient, a medical receptionist fills out a questionnaire and then encodes the wristband. It is enough to scan the wristband with a reader to get the patient information. The data is displayed in a few seconds, and the doctor has more time to attend to the patients.
Another important benefit refers to first aid in critical situations. If a person has fainted, or has a heart attack, there are often very few seconds to provide aid. If this patient has an ID wristband, the doctor can read it, get all the information needed and react quickly.
Are RFID wristbands safe for patients?
Some people think that RFID wristbands can be hazardous to health. In fact, this is just a myth.
- RFID wristbands are made of safe non-toxic materials. They are absolutely hypoallergenic and do not irritate even the most sensitive skin.
- RFID chips installed in such wristbands are safe, too. They use radio frequencies that are absolutely safe for health.
- All RFID wristbands can be easily cleaned and sanitized. They can be cleaned by all types of chemical disinfectants.
Therefore, even little babies can wear such identifiers.
What types of RFID patient wristbands are used in healthcare institutions?
RFID wristbands can be of two types:
- multi-use
- single-use
They differ in material, strength and secure clasps.
Single-use wristbands are available in vinyl and paper. Paper wristbands are usually used for 1-2 days, and are perfect for examinations and treatment rooms.
Vinyl is a more durable material. Vinyl wristbands can be worn for about a week, and are perfect for hospitals. Vinyl RFID wristbands are characterized by high strength. They can be rinsed with water, washed and sanitized. But they have single-use clasps that prevent them from being taken off and put on again. One must cut the wristband and discard it when it is no longer needed.
Multi-use RFID wristbands are stronger and more reliable. They are mainly made of silicone.
They stretch well, can be easily put on and are comfortable to wear. Besides, silicone does not cause allergies. Therefore, silicone wristbands are safe for all types of patients.
Patients generally hand over their multi-use RFID wristbands to medical stuff upon discharge. The wristbands are cleaned and disinfected, and can be used again after their chips are re-coded.
All RFID patient wristbands are very convenient and reliable. We suggest selecting a model depending on the required service life and purpose.